Another Charles Owen Skull Cap Question

[equinelibrium]

I just bought my first skull cap but I’m not 100% sold that it fits me perfectly. It was fitted by a sales person from a large tack store that seemed very knowledgeable. She told me that the only difference between the J3 (which I ended up with) and the Pro II was the fastening on the back. But from what I’ve read the Pro II tends to fit a more oval head and the J3 round. I’ve always been told I have a oval head and that’s what the COs tend to fit best, but she told me I had more of a round shape. For reference, my old helmet was a Tipperary that fit like a glove, and I’ve previously had the CO Wellington Pro which also fit great. I’ve tried on GPAs in the past and they didn’t work at all for my head shape. At the store, I didn’t try on the Pro II because she said it fit the same, but I’m wondering if that’s really the case. I also tried on a ARy8 which fit well but I didn’t want to spend $160 more for a brim!

The helmet stays in place and feels very snug, but not too tight. It does sit lower than I’m used to (just above the eyebrows) but I think that’s just the nature of the skull cap; it’s not uncomfortably low and I actually prefer it as I feel I have more coverage. But I’ve noticed that I feel a bit of pressure on the sides of my head after wearing it for a longer amount of time (30 minutes or so). It’s not terrible but definitely noticeable and has me questioning the fit of my helmet.

Would a different model of skull cap fit differently?

[amb]

@equinelibrium

Would a different model of skull cap fit differently?

Yup. (Sorry!) To quote something I cut-and-pasted from some old CoTH thread when I was trying to figure this out, “[the Pro II] is more oval than the shell for the GR8 and J3 (both made on a rounder shell) and some other CO helmets.”

That absolutely matches my experience; I have a Pro II and an AYR8 and they both fit nicely, while the J3 doesn’t. (The GR8 is just weird on me.)

All that said, if it’s the sides of your head that are hurting, it sounds like you want something that’s less oval, not more.

Last of all, most helmets have some structural malleability while not being worn; if the sides of the J3 had gotten squished in in shipping it could have ended up more oval than it should be. (Some fitters take advantage of this, though I find it all somewhat sketchy.)

[WNT]

There are slight differences in the shape of the shells in COs. I’m slightly surprised if you had a good fitting Wellington, the J3 didn’t fit well; it tends to be an easy transition in my fitting experience (single-unit shop, 7 years fitting CO), as the shell and harness are fairly similar. They tend to fit a little rounder than the Pro II, but not round-round.

If you’re feeling pressure on the sides, the helmet may well be a little narrow (i.e. oval) on you. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are very round, you’re just a little rounder than the helmet. Is going back to try the Pro II an option? The Pro II is also offered in true Round from a 6-7/8 to 7-1/4, but probably only by special order. We stock a few Round sizes where I work, but mostly in the Ayr8 and JR8; it’s been beneficial to have some on hand!

[equinelibrium]

Thanks for the input! Yes, it is possible to try on the Pro II. I’ll go sometime this week to try other models. The tack store is very close, it’s quite dangerous
I do like the harness on the J3 a lot (like you said @WNT it’s the same as the Wellington) as it hugs closer to the back of my head.

It’s also entirely possible that my head has changed since I had the Wellington Pro. I got it 5+ years ago when I was still a teenager. How long does your head keep growing? Have the shells changed shape since then?

[WNT]

It’s not so much that your head keeps growing (generally slows or stops by the early teen years, according to the talk we got from CO CEO, Roy); but if you’ve had that helmet for five years it has really shaped to your noggin. Wear it in the heat, your head gets hot, it will mold to a degree to your head. The padding will break down some, and it feels like putting your head into your favorite broken-in pillow. I wouldn’t be surprised if you tried on a new Wellington, you may feel some of the same sensations.

[equinelibrium]

@WNT I should clarify that I only wore the old helmet at shows so it was only used once a month in the summer for a few years. At home I rode in a Tipperary. But I definitely get what you’re saying about it breaking in. So how long should I give the J3 to break in before deciding it’s not the right shape?

[WNT]

I would try the other options sooner than later, to make sure there isn’t a better fitting model for you first.

Otherwise, could you just wear the J3 around the house for 30 minutes, then push past the squeeze (only if you can!) to see if the pressure lets up or just keeps building?

[equinelibrium]

I know I am super late, but just wanted to update this in case it will help anyone else.

Turns out the pressure on the side of my head was from my thick glasses! I rode without them and the slight pressure was gone.

However, there is another twist to this story… I fell off and replaced my helmet right after Thanksgiving. I got the same model but this one doesn’t bother me at all, even with the glasses. Either way, I’m going to take it because my helmet fits perfectly now!